Problem Statement Template to Support an Innovation Proposal

Your Scenario:

1. Your organisation is having troubles.
2. You have a brilliant proposal: form an Innovation Project to solve this problem.
3. The Problem and your Proposal need communicating.

How do I ensure that everyone understands the problem, and my suggested solution?

It’s easy:

Use this Problem Statement Template:

• Easy-to-edit Powerpoint Slides.
• Instructions to help you meet your requirements.
• This template is focussed on supporting a Proposal for an Innovation Unit.

The Problem Statement follows a well-tested format of 3 parts:-

1. The Vision – “This is how things should be.”

2. The Problem – “This is what is going wrong.”

3. The Remedy – “This is what we need to do.” – Your Proposal.

There is also a fourth section which rams-home the expected benefits of starting an innovation project.

4. The Expected Benefits – “This is what will happen.” – Sell your proposal’s benefits.

This extra 4th section is especially suited to supporting an Innovation Proposal. Be sure to emphasise the benefits of an innovation unit.

Template Contents:

1. Cover Slide.
2. Explaining the purpose: Problem Statement Template to support an Innovation Proposal.
3. Explaining that it can be used for other types of Problem Statement.
4. Section: Example.
   1. The Vision.
   2. The Problem.
   3. The Remedy.
   4. The Benefits.
5. Step 1 – The Vision Statement.
   1. Guide – intro slide.
   2. Example Vision Slide – Format 1.
   3. Example Vision Slide – Format 2.
6. Step 2 – The Problem.
   1. Guide – intro slide.
   2. Example Problem Slide – Format 1.
   3. Example Problem Slide – Format 2.
7. Step 3 – Your Course of Action – The Remedy.
   1. Guide – intro slide.
   2. Guide – if you want more detail, some help.
   3. The Remedy – slide with instructions.
8. Step 4 – Expected Benefits.
   1. Guide – intro slide.
   2. The Expected Benefits.

Further Reading about Problem Statements:

1. We have a popular blog post from 2012 about writing Problem Statements here.
2. A simple article from MIT about problem statements and clear English here.